This article from a couple weeks ago said she would be competing at the Silicon Valley Open from Aug 16-19, and would be monitered by US skating officials for possible international assignments.

I wish her luck!

So do I, but from what I saw of her on youtube, she's not internationally competitive in terms of jumps. (She'd be multiple champion in some countries but she's got a lot of skaters ahead of her in the US).

It's skaters like her that make me wish there was a second discipline for single skaters, sort of halfway between dance and current singles skatings with an emphasis on footwork, posture and overall skating skills. The current singles priorities (quads and 3/3's uber alles) can get tiresome.

It would be nice to have a more "dancy" competition. However, I found it very heartening that she placed as well as she did without needing the big jumps- she beat many girls with harder jump elements because her artistry was miles away. to the judges for that call!

It would be nice to have a more "dancy" competition. However, I found it very heartening that she placed as well as she did without needing the big jumps- she beat many girls with harder jump elements because her artistry was miles away. to the judges for that call!

I was going through my tapes last night and came upon her skate. She reminded me of a Mary Lou Retton who was all smiles and enthusiasm like a big cheerleader [of course May Lou had the total package], but Stephanie lacked the princess-like attitude and supreme confident elegance of the young major players like Ciszny, Taylor and Meissner I think if she doesn't develop some of that, it's going to hurt her.

Results

Stephanie came in fifth.

The messages said she had been dealing with a hamstring injury a week before the competition, and her jumps suffered, and some of the choreography had to be changed. But they also said she really "sold" the program, especially in the free skate.

Short - Steam Heat. Costume is basic black sleeveless with silver lapel accents on the front.

Long - The Constant Gardener film soundtrack - Costume is brown/maroon with dark sheer midriff fabric and muted pattern sheer fabric for skirt and bust line. Stephanie wanted to have an African theme this year and the step sequence is quite tribal. >>

2. Crystal Shum [Middle Eastern music?] - two-footed a 3-flip (I think it
was a triple), landed a 2-axel, fall on a triple jump (I looked away
for a second and didn't see the takeoff).

3. Jessica Martino - no notes at this time

4. Stephanie Rosenthal [Fosse-like] - nice 2-axel, 3-toe that she had to step
out of so no combo, nice layback, 2-sal, straight-line footwork,
death-drop, spiral sequence. This is a fun program and a nice effort
for her first time performing it. She'll add in more choreography
later.

5. Stephanie Zastrow [Big Band music?] - 2-axel, 3-toe/2-toe, 2-sal; nice
program, this was the first time I have ever seen her skate

6. Olivia Olsen [Time to Say Goodbye] - 3-toe/2-toe fall on 3-sal, 2-axel
Same music as last year

5. Stephanie Rosenthal (9th in FS) [The Constant Gardener] - 1-axel, footwork (straight-line?), 2-toe, sprial sequence, stepped out of 2-axel, good serpentine footwork, fall on an under-rotated 2-lutz.
Stephanie really sold this program. I found out yesterday that she has been skating injured with a pulled hamstring and was in a lot of pain. I give her major credit for being able to tough this out, and even more for never quitting on the program. I wish her a speedy recovery.

Michael Villarreal FS (2nd) - [Concerto du Aranjuez] - *hard* fall on 3-axel,
3-flip/2-loop (I think), 3-lutz barely held on, 2-axel, had to stop due to something in his eye (an ice chip from his first fall?), continued program, 3-sal, 3-flip, fall on 3-toe. Gutsy performance, given that his eye was hurting and he must have had trouble seeing out of it.

Check out Mexico City soon to happen. She's listed as an alternate. Stephanie is still with us.

Joe, Stephanie is currently one of EIGHT U.S. JGP ladies alternates submitted to the ISU. I believe she was being monitored at Silicon Valley Open for a possible Senior B event, but since she was not able to be at her best at SVO due to her injury, I really don't know what the USFS' International Committee will decide to do. In any case, Stephanie is soon off to Yale University to start her freshman year there and she will be very busy this fall, regardless.

I just re-watched both her Nationals programs and was impressed all over again. She has better presentation than most medal contenders. And what a smile!!! And she should get a special medal for creativity.

Personally I can't help wishing she'd drop everything else and focus on getting those triples. She seems so darn good for the sport.

And while getting those triples, everything else goes out the window. It seems nowadays you either have an artist or a jumping bean. Choose one or the other.

Well, first, artistry like that isn't something you lose.

Second, I don't have to choose! Yu Na Kim is already both, so is Elene G (though not AS strong technically), and IMO (tho' some differ) Mao is an artist as well as a jumper, or soon will be, as well. These three alone are going to make this an exciting season.

Unfortunately I can't place Kimmie in that category, and personally, I don't think it's likely to happen. Just like you don't lose artistry, you also don't get it just by practicing. But she's so diligent, I'm sure she will get better in some respects, and frankly it looks like she will get the PC marks anyway, at least when her technical performance is at its best.

It's too soon to say with Zhang, but from what we can see now, she's also in that category of those who have both strengths, and I'm sure there are others. Of course it's a rare combo, but we don't have to assume it's impossible, or gone with the wind.